take a deep breath
Enjoy the quiet calm of nature.
Lake Salma
When we say a private lake, we mean no one will be on it, except you.
Lake Salma is a 30-acre natural, spring-fed lake completely encircled by Water & Woods property. Up to 30-feet deep in the center and surrounded by mature wetlands, it’s clean and clear – perfect for swimming and kayaking.
We provide free access to kayaks, paddle boards and the swim raft for all guests and invite you to explore the wetlands or lounge in the middle of the lake for the afternoon.
When you’re here, you’ve got it all to yourselves.
Lake Salma is home to many varieties of wildlife.
We have an active beaver population – you can kayak right up to a massive 25-foot beaver dam with a 3-foot drop and see the lake edge trickle into the Beaver Creek, which then feeds the Bear Creek and eventually the great Manistee River. We’ve seen otters, mink and bobcat at its edges, hunting for fish.
Local fisherman have caught bass, bluegill, crappie, perch and pike in it’s waters. Painted turtles, snapping turtles and endangered wood turtles call the wetlands home and make nests in nearby sandy banks. You may see deer drinking and eating at the water’s edge.
A family of majestic trumpeter swans call the lake home too, raising a new family each year. Cranes, eagles, geese, herons and dozens of bird varieties fly overhead and nest in its marshes.
Opposite the lake, you’ll find 40 acres of open meadow, grasslands and trails that wind back into the woods.
You can wander freely among pine, tamarack and birch groves. A beautiful red pine forest sits at the back of the property – the vertical trunks stretching high in the air. Adjacent you’ll find several “mother trees” – white pines with trunks the size of a round kitchen table.
You can relax in an open grassy meadow or marvel at the three-foot high ferns that make you feel like you’re in the Serengeti.
Our trails are easy to walk and navigate, with gently rolling hills.
The skies here are dark and the stars are bright.
Kaleva is a small, rural farming community in Manistee County. The downtown has a few shops, but no traffic lights and minimal night time lighting. The nearest city lights are 20 minutes away, making for dark skies, perfect for stargazing.
At night, you can easily pick out planets, constellations and the Milky Way. Shooting stars abound. And it’s the perfect place to catch meteor showers, eclipses, and the Northern lights.
Yes. The woods hold many wild edibles. You can gently forage for food. Look for red raspberries and morel mushrooms. Enjoy the fresh air while you walk.
Our tent sites sit in the open meadow. This gives you amazing sky views. You can count a million stars at night. You might even see the northern lights.
The land is private and secluded. We rely on the deep woods for privacy. The natural tree lines keep the space quiet. Your campground cabin stays completely peaceful.
Find your perfect spot under the trees. Check our calendar to plan your trip.
